Frequently-Asked Questions

Can I work with you session-by-session instead of enrolling in your 12-week program?

In rare cases I will work with clients on a session-by-session basis. But I prefer clients to enroll in my 12-week program, because I’ve learned from experience that the 12-week intensive yields much better results. Your commitment to an intensive program gives you regular, sustained practice in applying new habits and skills. It also provides you with ongoing support. Change doesn’t come simply from intellectual knowledge or understanding; if it were that easy, the thousands of parenting books out there would make coaching irrelevant. Real change means new habits, and new habits take time. In fact, the simple act of conveying and learning new information takes time. For example, many of my clients benefit from ongoing instruction on a particular technique, where we refine their understanding and implementation over a period of weeks. It’s one thing for me to tell a family that they need to have family meetings. It’s another thing for me to model meetings two or three times, and then observe two or three parent-run meetings, providing feedback and course-correction when necessary. Learning and change take time! You’re not simply buying coaching hours; instead, you’re committing to a result.

If I decide that it's just not working out, can I stop, or am I obligated to pay for the full program?

You are not obligated to pay for the program if you choose not to continue after our first session. If you do choose to continue, I offer a 50% refund if you discontinue work with me prior to or at our sixth session, but I do not offer a refund if you discontinue work after the sixth session. I've never had anyone quit the program because of a mismatch in philosophy -- we'll know after our first session if we're a fit. And my policy is designed to discourage folks from stopping just because they no longer feel committed to the process. Having said this, I'm always open to discussing and working with your specific situation.

What if my child doesn’t respond to your methods?

I can honestly say that I’ve never worked with a child who hasn’t responded favorably to my work with him or her. And a big reason for this is that in one sense I don’t use specific techniques or methods. Instead, we apply general principles in specific ways that fit with your child’s unique personality and temperament.

Having said this, if you practice what I’ve shown you and your child doesn’t respond, I’ll show you how to tweak what you’re doing so that your child does respond. Most if not all of my clients experience at least a few instances where their child doesn’t respond as expected. This is absolutely normal – in fact, it’s inevitable. You and your child are in a process of new learning. But don’t worry – in the course of our work together we’ll refine what you’re doing so that you and your child interact in the ways you both want.

More FAQs coming soon! And feel free to contact me with the questions you want answered!